Your Rights in a Car Accident

This page should help you settle a minor injury case without an attorney. Because each case is different, the information is general. However, this should give you a basic idea of how to proceed.

If you are seriously injured, you should not represent yourself; instead, you should hire a law firm experienced in personal injury matters. A serious injury is one that causes you to lose wages, undergo surgery or suffer permanent pain or restrictions.

The insurance company you are up against is very experienced in protecting their own interests. Without a skilled lawyer on a serious claim, you are at a significant disadvantage that can cost you money.

The Value of Your Claim

If you are injured in an accident due to someone else’s fault, you are entitled to reasonable compensation for all damages that result from the accident. Medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering are major elements of your claim.

Your pain may restrict your ability, either partly or completely, to do things as simple as dress, climb stairs, or take a bath. Your pain may also affect your ability to work, drive, or participate in sports, family life, and other personal activities. You may lose income and job opportunities. You may also find you have suffered a permanent injury that will result in future medical expenses for your treatment. You are entitled to compensation for all these losses.

Keep a Record

Keep a record of your pain and restricted activities as you recover from the accident. You should also keep a record of medical treatment and expenses as well as any lost wages including vacation and sick pay. A few notes on a calendar will be sufficient, but you may wish to keep a more extensive record.

Your Doctor

The most important factor in your injury case is your doctor’s medical report about your injuries, treatment, and resulting disability. The value of your personal injury claim ultimately depends on the doctor’s comments and assessment of your injuries.

At each office visit, your doctor will make a note of your complaints, the findings, and recommended treatment. Your doctor consults these chart notes when the report is prepared. They should include your symptoms, treatment, and how your injuries interfere with your activities such as work, recreational activities, and everyday life.

Tell your doctor about the accident.At your first visit with your doctor-not only your regular physician but also any other doctor you see-you should provide the doctor with a detailed history of the accident. Explain how the accident happened and what happened to you. Be detailed enough to connect your injuries to the accident.

Tell your doctor all your complaints.Tell your doctor about the complaints you had immediately after the accident. Tell him of your symptoms which appeared during the next few days and of any other symptoms you have had since the accident-even if the symptoms have since ended.

Tell your doctor about your job.
If you are employed, you should describe your job and the physical activities it requires. Your doctor can then determine whether your injuries will prevent you from performing your job.

If you have returned to work and find that your injuries are interfering with your ability to do your job, tell your doctor about it. The doctor may advise you to stop working for a while.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is included by law in all Oregon private automobile insurance policies. It provides payment for medical bills and lost wages or certain household expenses.

If you are driving or riding in your own car, then usually your own auto insurance company pays your PIP benefits. If you are riding in someone else’s car, then usually their insurance company will pay the PIP benefits. Sometimes PIP benefits are available even if you are not in a car. For example, if you are a pedestrian or bicyclist, you may still have PIP benefits under your own or the other party’s car insurance.

The law does not require motorcycle policies to carry PIP coverage, and most policies do not include this coverage.

PIP benefits are available to you whether or not the accident was your fault.

What medical expenses are covered?PIP covers all reasonable and necessary medical and dental expenses which your doctor says are related to the accident. This can include doctor bills, dental bills, chiropractor bills, emergency room bills, ambulance bills, physical therapy bills, and prescriptions. PIP will not pay for mileage to and from medical appointments.

By law, PIP must cover at least $15,000 worth of medical expenses occurring within 365 days of the accident. Your policy may provide higher limits and longer time periods. Occasionally, PIP may have a $250 deductible, but this is not common.

What wage loss is reimbursable?If your doctor instructs you to remain off work for at least 14 days, you are entitled to receive at least 70% of your regular wage rate up to a maximum of $1250 per month. This coverage is available for up to 52 weeks, and it does not necessarily have to start from the date of the accident. Again, your policy might provide a higher benefit.

How do I apply for PIP benefits?You must get a form directly from your insurance company. You should fill it out, sign it, and send it in to your insurance company.

On any wage loss claim, you will need a statement from your doctor indicating your disability, and also a note from your employer verifying your employment and your rate of pay.

Settling Your Case

You should not settle your case until you are medically stationary-the point at which your doctor releases you to go back to doing the things you did before the accident. When you are stationary, you should request a medical report from your doctor.

The value of your case depends upon what the doctor’s report says about your injury and any remaining disability, restriction, or future pain and/or disability. Naturally, the greater your loss the more your case is worth. When dealing with the insurance adjuster, remember that he represents the other side-not you!

Statute of Limitations

Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident either to settle or file your case. If more than two years go by without settling or filing, the right to proceed with your case is gone. If your case is against the state, a county, a city, or any other governmental body, you have to give a written notice of claim to the governmental body within 180 days of the accident date or your case can be lost for failure to give notice.